Fire-Break Notice
To assist in restricting the outbreak and impacts of fire, the Shire of Toodyay stipulates minimum property preparation standards under the provisions of the Bush Fires Act 1954, known as the Fire-Break Notice.
Landholders and occupiers are required by law to carry out the fire prevention activities listed in the Fire-Break Notice on their properties. It is important that these requirements are understood, carried out and maintained from November 1 annually to April 30 of the following year.
The Shire conducts inspections each year to assess compliance. Penalties for non-compliance include infringement, prosecution or recovery of costs by the Shire of Toodyay.
The Fire-Break Notice is mailed annually to ratepayers, advertised in the Toodyay Herald, and can be downloaded here.
Please note that the requirements of the Fire-Break Notice have changed, coming into effect 1 November 2017.
Shire of Toodyay Fire-Break Notice
Pursuant to Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, all residents and ratepayers within the Shire of Toodyay are required to comply with the requirements set out in this notice.
Due Date: November 1 Annually
Maintained Until: April 30 Annually
NB: If you purchase land during this period you have 14 days from purchase to comply with this order.
Failure to comply may result in a fines or prosecution
1. All land less than or equal to 1 hectare
1.1 All land with an area less than 1 hectare (2.47 acres) are required to be fire hazard reduced by ensuring:
- grass height does not exceed 100mm; and
- no tree crowns overhang the building; and
- total available fuel load is maintained at 2 tonnes per hectare or lower.
2. All land greater than 1 hectare
2.1 Land up to and including 200 hectares in size shall have a fire-break cleared and maintained within 10 metres of the external boundary.
2.2 Land exceeding 200 hectares in size shall have fire-breaks cleared and maintained so as to divide the property into parcels of land less than 200 hectares.
2.3 A fire-break shall be cleared and maintained within 15 metres from external walls of buildings and around haystacks, solar panels and fuel storage areas.
2.4 A 20 metre wide Asset Protection Zone (low fuel area) shall be maintained from external walls of buildings and around haystacks, fuel storage areas such that:
- grass height does not exceed 100mm; and
- no tree crowns overhang the building; and
- total available fuel load is maintained at 2 tonnes per hectare or lower.
2.5 A fire-break shall be cleared and maintained immediately surrounding a stationary motor.
DEFINITION: Fire-break – An area cleared of all inflammable materials 3 metres horizontally (wide) and 4 metres vertically (high).